Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Way too long after the original trilogy has ended, a new story unfolds itself with the expectation to go where the others didn't went. At least in the special effects, they especially succeeded because it is from start to finish a roller coaster ride of stunning visual effects. But as with this kind of movie, it is the score that has been equally awaited as the film itself and none other than maestro John Williams is on board once again. Because if you say Star Wars, you mention the overture, the fanfare of Williams that practically everyone knows on the soil. So, Star Wars the score has been awaited for way too long and the problem is, this time there can only be disappointment. Nobody knew what the first three scores brought of sheer massive intelligence and this time the name John Williams is as classic as the movie he accompanies with music. Now, fans were about to embrace nothing but the same equivalent and that is were the danger lied. I'm not going to lie, Star Wars as a score is as good as they come but this one is not one step away from the first three but several, and speaking of Star Wars terms, that is a big deal. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace as a soundtrack will easily satisfy everybody but it will disappoint even the tiniest of expectations, because it isn't simply the same as the first three.

Why is that? Perhaps the style that Williams matured in over the last couple of years, perhaps the way that Williams himself had to build on themes that were new and just like the ones before, need growth in the next following chapters. Or simply because the music is just not that super brilliant, just not that fantastic like. It all has got something to do with it and the score itself is still a masterpiece. None better to proof it with several examples of music. The score has to and can start one way only and that is with the over familiar theme that drives its galaxy each time. 'Star Wars Main Title / The Arrival at Naboo' is just that, the main Star Wars theme and a short fanfare for the story that has just unfolded itself. Still, the theme that needs and will need no introduction anymore once you've heard it is solely the choral 'Duel of the Fates', a fantastic, menacing and as said choral wash of everything you wish a bad guy itself against. This theme is the new Darth Vader theme and will show itself with understatement a lot in the following two scores. And next we move into another main theme and not just an ordinary one, but the sole theme that will be enjoyed by those who love these little genius ideas. As we all know, Anakin the sweet innocent boy will become Darth Vader and this innocent and childlike theme will just hint in all lightness the last tones of the Darth Vader theme, it doesn't remind you of the theme but anyone reading this or knowing this will spot it in a second, and again this is a sign that Williams thought carefully about this sole development.

The score hasn't reached the fourth track or we have another theme, this time entitled 'Jar Jar's Introduction / The Swim to Otoh Gunga'. The theme for Jar Jar (aka the plucky comic relief) is as playful as the character (hell special effects dude) itself, with flutes and drums the main clumsiness is easily spotted. Later in the track, we have a choral mystical moment for the underwater city. 'The Sith Spacecraft / The Droid Battle' is the first action track and covers an orchestral version of the Duel of the Fates theme. 'The Arrival at Tatooine / The Flag Parade' is one of the best highlights, a majestic fanfare is heard after Jar Jar's short interruptions and soon sets yourself into musical heaven, it is typically a Williams theme to die for. 'Anakin defeats Sebulba' covers more ferocious action music and covers a small appearance of the Force theme and has some great musical fanfares at offer. 'Panaka and the Queen's Protectors' is again action and offer perhaps for one minute (the first) exquisite action music, it starts with a brief statement of the main theme but also has brilliant brass during the statement of the Duel of the Fates theme, great stuff. 'The Droid Invasion / The Appearance of Darth Maul' has more things at offer, good menacing fanfares that signal the arrival the of the robots (in one hell of a sequence on screen) and they especially sound riveting when they are repeated each time with better effect. Also this track ends briefly with the Duel of the Fates theme, continuing in the next 'Qui - Gon's Noble End', which is not the way I wanted it. In the movie it was perfect; the theme is heard when Darth Maul makes his appearance but it doesn't continue to show the theme and immediately moves on to the last minutes of the fight. This is sad and will no doubt be found on the double disc set.

Ending the disc is one of the few times I have heard John Williams ripping such obvious a musical piece of someone else. People have already complained about the first piece of 'Augie's Great Municipal Band / End Credits' but apart from me liking it as the cheerful finale, it is also a very close cousin to Philip Glass' main theme of Powaqqatsi. The children's choir, the festivity and the sheer explosive nature. I am not the one to complain about Williams ripping someone, but do it to Horner and then you also have to do even with the greatest master. But in any way, as I have always answered in advance, who cares? The following piece is the combination of the main theme, Duel of the Fates theme and Anakin's theme. Overall, speaking of non Star Wars grading, The Phantom Menace is an excellent score with lots of new themes and some main highlights, the new dark villain theme and several moments during tracks 7 and 12. But you can not grade this score without the grade of Star Wars, without the standard the others scored created. And then speaking of grading, you can not end but be disappointed by the outcome. It simply doesn't match the brilliance of the first three (or at least those that follow its path of episode I). The Phantom Menace is without doubt going to sell and even the expanded score will offer hidden packages of brilliance, but fans see this one way only. Fans never want to know if the score receives a four star rating but just a five one, sadly it doesn't deserve it if you keep (unfortunately for it) comparing it with those that it tries to follow or advance.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Star Wars Main Title / The Arrival At Naboo (2.55) Excellent Track

2. Duel Of The Fates (4.14) Excellent Track

3. Anakin's Theme (3.08)

4. Jar Jar's Introduction / The Swim To Otoh Gunga (5.07)

5. The Sith Spacecraft / The Droid Battle (2.36)

6. The Trip To The Naboo Temple / The Audience With Boss Nass (4.07)

7. The Arrival At Tatooine / The Flag Parade (4.04) Excellent Track

8. He Is The Chosen One (3.53)

9. Anakin Defeats Sebulba (4.23)

10. Passage Trough The Planet Core (4.39)

11. Watto's Deal / Kids At Play (4.57)

12. Panaka And The Queen's Protectors (3.23) Excellent Track

13. Queen Amidala / The Naboo Palace (4.51)

14. The Droid Invasion / The Appearance Of Darth Maul (5.14)

15. Qui - Gon's Noble End (3.47)

16. The High Council Meeting / Qui - Gon's Funeral (3.08)

17. Augie's Great Municipal Band / End Credits (9.38) Excellent Track

Total Length: 74.13

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Williams ===